Commissioners celebrate new home on quayside
Warkworth Harbour Commissioners celebrated the opening of their new building Coquet House on the quayside. A larger launch event is planned for the summer.
Chair of the Commissioners Maurice Burnett said “this is a great achievement, after years of planning. Finally, we have a user-friendly building, fit for a 21st century harbour. I would like to thank staff for all their time, hard work and perseverance and welcome harbour users, whether regulars or visitors, to come and see this wonderful building. “
Coquet House will house the Harbour Master and administrative staff. In addition, it has a large community room which can serve as a board room for WHC as well as being available for meetings and functions. The building is licensed to host weddings and civil partnerships.
There are five lettable units to generate income for costs, such as harbour maintenance. The building moves WHC closer to its net zero objectives by delivering a more energy efficient building with solar panels and air source heat pumps.
The building was constructed by DP Builders who employed many local sub-contractors.
The retail units are:
• Bayside Hairdressing (Amble local Amanda Hume has relocated from Queen Street and employs four staff),
• Matt Robson Artwork (this is artist Matt’s third retail property after Alnwick and Morpeth.)
• The Window Dresser (soft furnishings and décor expert Wendy Baxter, previously in the old harbour office)
• Salt & Co (Martha Gothorp a trained silversmith who already has a successful online jewelry business).
On the first floor the RSPB has a new office for its Coquet Island team.
The previous office is now returning to the name of its original purpose – The Old Customs House. Beth Keen and Matt MacDonagh are creating a new café to be called the Old Customs House Tearooms. They previously operated the Artique café on the Wynd. The Tearooms are aiming to be up and running in April.
Warkworth Harbour Commissioners
